Quotes by James Cash Penney

So I come back again to the condition that the Golden Rule, if one adopts it, is a difficult master to serve. The ship’s captain will not throw the compass overboard because the wind blows fair and the day is funny. For he knows, from the experiences of the ocean’s instability, that the danger days of storm are always “just ahead.” So the compass must always be handy and obedience to it must always be loyal. And so with the Golden Rulle—the compass must be ever at hand through life’s journey. It will see us through trying times. And perhaps the most trying of all times comes when success is riding high and we may be tempted to “throw the compass overboard.” It is then we must remember that all good days in human life come from the mastery of the days of trouble that are forever recurrent.

The keystone of successful business is cooperation. Friction retards progress.

A merchant who approaches business with the idea of serving the public well has nothing to fear from the competition.

Exchange ideas frequently.

I never trust an executive who tends to pass the buck. Nor would I want to deal with him as a customer or a supplier.

No business can succeed in any great degree without being properly organized.

I believe in trusting men, not only once but twice - in giving a failure another chance.

The art of effective listening is essential to clear communication, and clear communication is necessary to management success.

Every man must decide for himself whether he shall master his world or be mastered by it.

I do not believe in excuses. I believe in hard work as the prime solvent of lifes problems.

The greatest teacher I know is the job itself.

The five separate fingers are five independent units. Close them and the fist multiplies strength. This is organization.

The best teamwork comes from men who are working independently toward one goal in unison.

Clock watchers never seem to be having a good time.

Growth is never by mere chance it is the result of forces working together.

Luck is always the last refuge of laziness and incompetence.

Honor bespeaks worth. Confidence begets trust. Service brings satisfaction. Cooperation proves the quality of leadership.

Responsibilities are given to him on whom trust rests. Responsibility is always a sign of trust.

Salesmanship, too, is an art; the perfection of its technique requires study and practice.

Success cannot come from standstill men. Methods change and men must change with them.